Hello Ontbirders, James Holdsworth, Richard Skevington and I were birding in Hamilton area today and went to see the extravaganza of warblers at Sedgewick Park in Oakville. Within 3 minutes of arriving we had seen all of the reported species - amazing. There are a few things that I would like to discuss - hopefully this is OK being sent from OntBirds. In particular, it would be great to get photos of these birds onto the Ontario Birds web site.
1. Does anyone else think that the Blackpoll could be a Bay-breast? My impression is that it is a Bay-breast but it has some non-typical characters. In favour of Bay-breasted Warbler: gray feet, faint eyebrow, the flanks seemed a bit richly coloured for Blackpoll, back, nape and crown unicolourous. In favour of Blackpoll: heavy back streaking and bright white undertail coverts. This bird has evoked some discussion on eBird and I would appreciate private correspondence on this along with photos that folks might have. If there is interest, I can summarize and send to eBird later. There is one photo that I am aware of online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew-don/8334344643/ 2. There appear to be 2 subspecies of Orange-crowned Warblers at the site (celata and the western lutescens). Comments on this are also welcomed. 3. The Nashville Warbler appears to have very extensive gray on the mantle and very extensive yellow on the underparts suggesting a possible western bird as well. It is in heavy primary moult. Lots of fun out there today! Thanks to everyone who has posted on these birds and to the discoverers. What a spectacle. Jeff -- Jeff Skevington, Research Scientist Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 960 Carling Avenue, K.W. Neatby Building Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6, Canada Phone: 613-759-1647 FAX: 613-759-1927 E-mail: [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
